Dealer Craig Finch of Finch & Co.
1 How did you get your start as a dealer?
I was asked to join Holloways Auctioneers, after completing my FGA. Tim Holloway first gave me an apron, a broom and the role of salesroom porter. After two weeks, he gave me his wife’s car and sent me out on valuations telling me to follow my intuition and ‘eye’.
2 What events do you have coming up?
A two-week exhibition at Cromwell Place, South Kensington, incorporating London Art Week, my biannual catalogue No 40, and the launch of a new book, co-written with Errol Fuller: Sarah Stone’s Unseen Worlds, A Rare Collection of 18th Century Ornithological Watercolours, coinciding with an exhibition. Later in the autumn I am looking forward to participating at Pan Amsterdam.
This 15th century Venetian marble relief of the Resurrection of Christ is attributed to the Master of the Mascoli Altar Marble and is available for £225,000 from Finch & Co.
3 What is one great discovery you have made?
One discovery springs to mind, many years ago, preonline bidding – and even, from memory, it was impossible to make a telephone bid while stuck in traffic. Fortunately, I managed to get to the auction one lot prior to a very rare Vincennes chestnut basket and cover which was being offered (catalogued as 19th century German porcelain!). After successfully buying the lot, further research revealed it had once been owned by Madame de Pompadour.
4 What is something you secretly hope you’ll never sell?
My art reference library, although having moved the entire library to Brussels recently, a thinning-out process has been very cathartic.
5 Real ale or espresso martini?
Negroni, ovviamente!
* Errol Fuller will be signing copies of the new book on Sarah Stone at Gallery 1, Cromwell Place, on Saturday, July 1, from 2-5pm.
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